Sunday, August 05, 2007

Afternoon Delight

Afternoon Delight
( Starland Vocal Band )

The temperature was moderate today. The humidity was barely perceptible. It was a beautiful day. ...And it wasn't too hot to ...

Gonna find my baby, gonna hold her tight
Gonna grab some afternoon delight
My motto's always been 'when it's right, it's right'
Why wait until the middle of a cold dark night?When everything's a little clearer in the light of day
And we know the night is always gonna be there any way

This afternoon the wife and I were watching one of those PBS special pledge drive programs. You know the ones; the ones where they give you 15 minutes of the special and 30 minutes of pocket sucking!

It was a new special featuring the music and the groups of the '70s. Can you say "Disco Era?" They have produced some excellent shows in the past for the 50s and the 60s, as well for the folk Groups and the British groups. Today's program was no exception.

Thinkin' of you's workin' up my appetite
Looking forward to a little afternoon delight
Rubbin' sticks and stones together makes the sparks ingite
And the thought of lovin' you is getting so exciting

Sky rockets in flight
Afternoon delight, Afternoon delight
Afternoon delight

One of the catch phrases that the hosts use on these programs is "This music is the soundtrack of your life." It's true.

Many of the groups and their songs brought back a lot of memories. Though the Disco Era was in play after our dating days, our first year of marriage encompassed the period. Frankie Valle and the current Four Seasons performed a rousing version of their Oh What A Night ( September of '63 ) that sounded just like the original recording. I'm sure it wouldn't be a stretch to say that many can relate to some event in their life in which that song can be applied.

Started out this morning feeling so polite
I always though a fish could not be caught who wouldn't bite
But you've got some bait a waitin' and I think I might try nibbling
A little afternoon delight

Sky rockets in flight
Afternoon delight, Afternoon delight
Afternoon delight


Then they introduced a one-hit wonder group that had one of the biggest hits of the 70s. There's something to be said about watching "oldies groups" perform. Not only have you aged, but so have they! Had they not announced the group as they moved onto the stage, we wouldn't have had a clue as to who they were. Oh, but the moment the song started we knew.

The Starland Vocal Band launched effortlessly into Afternoon Delight and both us joined right in on the vocals, not stumbling on a single word of the lyrics.

As the song came to an end and the words afternoon delight faded with the instruments, I reached over and traced circles on my wife's arm. I cooed? crowed? "Honey, remember when we use to have some of those afternoon delights?"

She said something that sounded like, "Umm hmpf!" She then crossed her arms across her chest and kept her eyes fixed on the television.

Please be waiting for me, baby, when I come around
We could make a lot of lovin' 'for the sun goes down
Thinkin' of you's workin' up my appetite
Looking forward to a little afternoon delight
Rubbin' sticks and stones together makes the sparks ingite
And the thought of lovin' you is getting so exciting

I guess it was fair to say that there were no skyrockets in flight this afternoon....

When we reach a certain age, when we reached it I cannot recall, the urgency and the spontaneity aren't the same anymore. At least I was Johnny-on-the-spot giving it the old college try. You can't blame a man for trying, can you?

I'm reminded of an old joke that's altogther fitting here:

There was an old man who really took care of his body. He lifted weights and jogged six miles every day. One morning he looked into the mirror and was admiring his naked body, when he noticed that he was suntanned over his entire body with the exception of his penis.
....He decided to do something about it. He promptly went down to the beach still completely undressed and buried himself in the sand except for his head and his penis which he left exposed to the sun.
....It so happened that two old spinsters were strolling around in the sand, one walking with a cane. Upon seeing this thing sticking out the sand, she begin to move it about with her cane.
....She remarked to the other old lady, "There ain't hardly no justice in this world."
...."What do you mean?" replied the other.
...."Well," the first one said, "When I was 20, I was curious about them. When I was 30, I enjoyed them. When I was 40, I asked for it. When I was 50, I paid for it. When I was 60, I prayed for it. Then by the time I was 70, I pretty much forgot about it. And now that I'm 80, the damned things are growing wild and I'm too old to squat!"

Sky rockets in flight

Afternoon delight

Afternoon delight

Afternoon delight

Afternoon delight!

No.1068

4 comments:

Jack K. said...

Great post, Hale.

Loved the joke too. You were right, it was apropos.

Ain't it the truth.

Maryann and I have enjoyed those PBS shows, too. We didn't see the one your referenced.

Afternoon Delight indeed. Oh well, it's the thought that counts. Thank goodness for a rich fantasy life.

OldHorsetailSnake said...

Aw, Hale, you just bust my chops!!

Well told.

Serena said...

Great post, and a nice walk down memory lane. I say that because I have some really fond memories of that song back when it was popular.:)

jipzeecab said...

Too many unfortunate truths wrapped in the post about a great song!